Apparel with body mapped waterproof-breathable portions

ABSTRACT

A garment includes a first material layer including a first surface, a second material layer laminated to the first material layer, where the second material layer includes a second surface, and a laminate material disposed in a non-continuous manner between the first and second surfaces of the first and second material layers. An amount of laminate material disposed between the first and second material layers varies at different zones defined along the first surface of the first material layer. The laminate material can be applied via a dot lamination process so as to form an array of laminate dots that varies by one or more of spacing between laminate dots, dimensions of laminate dots and shapes of laminate dots at the different zones.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/455,394, entitled “Apparel with Body Mapped Waterproof-BreathablePortions”, filed Mar. 10, 2017, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/306,464,entitled “Apparel With Body Mapped Waterproof-Breathable Portions”,filed Mar. 10, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present invention relates to waterproof breathable garments orarticles of apparel.

BACKGROUND

Garments that are both waterproof and breathable are desirable for avariety of outdoor activities in which rainwear may be desirable (e.g.,hiking, camping, running and all other sorts of outdoor activities inwhich a user is subjected to potentially wet environments). Waterproofbreathable garments can have a number of different types of constructionwith different layers forming the garment. Conventional types ofwaterproof-breathable garments are designed with a 2, 2.5 or 3 layerconstruction. In each type of construction, at least one layer isprovided with waterproof-breathable characteristics designed to keep theuser dry while providing some level of breathability through the garmentto prevent a certain level of body perspiration or water vaporpermeability so as to reduce the potential of the user overheating whenwearing the garment.

The challenge in providing a desirable waterproof-breathable garment isensuring sufficient waterproof and breathable characteristics whileminimizing the bulkiness, stiffness, weight and feel when worn by theuser.

SUMMARY

In example embodiments, an article of apparel or garment includes afirst material layer including a first surface, a second material layerlaminated to the first material layer, where the second material layerincludes a second surface, and a laminate material disposed in anon-continuous manner between the first and second surfaces of the firstand second material layers. An amount of laminate material disposedbetween the first and second material layers varies at different zonesdefined along the first surface of the first material layer.

In other example embodiments, the laminate material can be applied via adot lamination process so as to form an array of laminate dots thatvaries by one or more of spacing between laminate dots, dimensions oflaminate dots and shapes of laminate dots at the different zones.

The above and still further features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent upon consideration of the followingdetailed description that includes non-limiting example embodimentsthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a dot lamination system form lamination of two materialsheets or layers together.

FIG. 2 depicts a laminate roller for use in the system of FIG. 1 thatincorporates variable coverage of laminate dots applied on a surface ofa material layer in accordance with the disclosure herein.

FIGS. 2A-2C depict partial cross-sectional views of different portionsof the laminate roller of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict different portions of a material layer havinglaminate dots applied to have different zones of laminate coverage inaccordance with the disclosure herein.

FIG. 3C is a photographic image of a portion of another material layerhaving laminate dots applied to have different zones of laminatecoverage in accordance with the disclosure herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a view in plan of a garment material including differentzones of laminate coverage at different portions of the garment materialin accordance with the disclosure herein.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict an example embodiment of a garment formed inaccordance with the disclosure herein that includes different zones oflaminate coverage and correspondingly different levels ofwaterproof-breathability characteristics mapped to different bodyportions of the garment.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying figures which form a part hereof wherein like numeralsdesignate like parts throughout, and in which is shown, by way ofillustration, embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logicalchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined bythe appended claims and their equivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the disclosure are disclosed herein. Alternate embodiments ofthe present disclosure and their equivalents may be devised withoutparting from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. It should benoted that any discussion herein regarding “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “an exemplary embodiment”, and the like indicate that theembodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, and that such particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic may not necessarily be included in every embodiment. Inaddition, references to the foregoing do not necessarily comprise areference to the same embodiment. Finally, irrespective of whether it isexplicitly described, one of ordinary skill in the art would readilyappreciate that each of the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics of the given embodiments may be utilized in connectionor combination with those of any other embodiment discussed herein.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A and/or B”means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the presentdisclosure, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B),(A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).

Further, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, asused with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, aresynonymous.

As described herein, a garment or article of apparel that haswaterproof-breathable (WP/BR) characteristics includes a plurality ofmaterial layers comprising an outer fabric layer and a film layer ormembrane layer laminated to a surface (e.g., inner surface or surfacefacing the body of the wearer) of the outer fabric layer, where themembrane layer contributes substantially to the WP/BR characteristicsfor the garment.

During manufacture of the WP/BR garment, the WP/BR membrane layer can beapplied to the outer fabric layer via a hot melt gravure laminationprocess (also referred to herein as a dot lamination process). The dotlamination process applies a plurality of individual and separatelyspaced hot melt laminate members or dots to a surface of one of the twomaterial layers, followed by pressing the other layer onto the laminatedot coated layer to join or laminate the two layers together.

As further described herein, a garment having enhanced breathable/airpermeability characteristics can also be formed using a dot laminationprocess as described herein and implemented for forming the WP/BRgarment.

The dot lamination process described herein enhances WP/BR (and airpermeable) features within the garment. The dot lamination process canvary the spacing, dimensions, shapes, etc. of the laminate dots appliedto the surface of one of the material layers at different regions orzones along the material layer surface to achieve a variation in amountof laminate material disposed on the material layer surface. The amountof laminate material applied to a particular region or zone of amaterial layer surface can be defined, e.g., by areal number density(defined as number of laminate dots per unit area at a particular zoneof the material layer surface), areal coverage (defined as percentage ofsurface area covered by laminate material at a particular zone of thematerial layer surface) and/or areal density (defined as amount oflaminate material on material layer surface at a particular zone asmeasured in units such as g/m² or gsm). The variation in amount of thelaminate dots applied at different regions or zones of the materiallayer provides a resultant effect in that WP/BR features are also variedat the corresponding regions or zones of the garment (i.e., the portionsof the garment that include the regions or zones of the material layer).

The WP/BR characteristics of a garment can be determined based upon anyconventional and/or other suitable methods in the garment or otherindustries. For example, garments can be tested for a waterproof (WP)rating based upon how much water pressure must be applied to a surfaceof the garment to result in the onset of water leaking through thegarment. A conventional industry test applied to WP/BR garments providesa waterproof (WP) rating in millimeters (mm) based upon a static-columntest, which defines the height that is required for a column of waterwithin a 1 inch by 1 inch (inner dimension) square tube or a 1 inchinner diameter round tube placed over a portion of the WP/BR garmentmaterial to cause the water to start passing or leaking through thegarment over a selected period of time (e.g., 24 hours or less). Anexample waterproof rating for apparel and other fabric materials foroutdoor or other uses is as follows:

TABLE 1 General Waterproof Ratings for Apparel in Outdoor Gear IndustryWaterproof Rating (mm) Water Resistance What garment can withstand   0-5,000 No resistance to some Light rain, dry snow, no resistance tomoisture pressure  6,000-10,000 Rainproof and waterproof Light rain,average snow, light under light pressure pressure 11,000-15,000Rainproof and waterproof Moderate rain, average snow, except under highpressure light pressure 16,000-20,000 Rainproof and waterproof Heavyrain, wet snow, some under high pressure pressure 20,000+ Rainproof andwaterproof Heavy rain, wet snow, high under very high pressure pressure

A breathability (BR) rating for a WP/BR garment can be defined inrelation to how much water vapor can pass through the garment from theinside to the outside (e.g., to remove perspiration or water vaporwithin the inside layer to the outside layer) over a given period oftime. A conventional, industry standard definition to quantifybreathability of a WP/BR garment is a moisture vapor transmission rate(MVTR), which has units of grams of water moisture per square meter ofgarment material per day (g/m²/day). The larger the MVTR value indicatesa greater breathability (BR) for a WP/BR garment. For example, an MVTRvalue for a garment of at least about 5,000 g/m²/day might be desirablefor basic activities (light hiking), while for more rigorous activitieswhere the user has a greater amount of perspiration/body heat generatedduring the activities a suitable MVTR value for a garment might be inthe range of 10,000-15,000 g/m²/day or even greater (e.g., 20,000g/m²/day or greater).

Water proof breathable (WP/BR) garments typically include a plurality ofmaterial layers, where at least one layer of the garment comprises anouter fabric layer (e.g., the outermost layer of the garment) and atleast one layer of the garment comprises a membrane that at leastpartially provides or imparts WP/BR characteristics for the garment.

As used herein, the term fabric (e.g., standing along or as a fabriclayer) refers to a textile material that can be formed by any one ormore suitable types of fibers, filaments and/or yarns combined in anysuitable manner. In particular, a fabric layer can be formed by anysuitable process including, without limitation, weaving, knitting,forming a nonwoven web, etc. The fibers, filaments and/or yarns used toform the fabric layer can comprise any conventional and/or other typesof natural materials (e.g., cotton, silk, etc.) and/or synthetic polymermaterials (e.g., polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene,polybutylene, etc., polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate,polyacrylamides, polyurethanes, polylactic acids, polyamides such asnylon, polyvinyl alcohol, and any variety of copolymers or combinationsthereof), where any of the fibers, filaments and/or yarns can have anyone or more suitable cross-sectional shapes and/or combinations ofpolymer components (e.g., homopolymer components or multi-polymercomponents). The fabric layer can further be formed of any one or morecombinations of fibers, filaments and/or yarns having the same orvarying degrees of elasticity. For example, the fabric layer can beformed having 2-way or 4-way stretch characteristics. Some non-limitingexamples of elastic or stretchable fabric materials suitable for formingthe outer fabric layer are fabrics comprising one or more combinationsof polyester-polyurethane copolymers referred to generally as elastane(e.g., Spandex or Lycra materials).

The outer fabric layer of the garment is a fabric layer that can beformed of a durable material that is capable of withstanding exposure tooutdoor elements (e.g., sunlight, moisture, etc.) with minimaldegradation to the outer fabric layer. Non-limiting examples ofmaterials used to form the outer fabric layer include nylon, polyester,spandex or any of the other types of materials previously described forthe garment fabric layers.

The WP/BR membrane layer is constructed of a suitable material thatprovides adequate water repelling/hydrophobicity characteristics whilealso having a suitable porosity or porous characteristics to allow forair and/or moisture vapor to penetrate or permeate through the membranelayer. An example of a suitable material for forming the WP/BR membranelayer is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or teflon material designedwith suitable hydrophobicity and porosity characteristics, such as astretched PTFE material commercially available under the trademarkGORE-TEX. Another example of a suitable material for forming the WP/BRmembrane layer is a polyurethane (PU) material designed with suitablehydrophobicity and porosity characteristics. A further example of asuitable material for forming the WP/BR membrane layer is apolypropylene (PP) material designed with suitable hydrophobicity andporosity characteristics. Further, while a single membrane layer isdescribed herein in relation to the WP/BR garment, it is noted that themembrane can comprise two or more layers of the same or different typesof membrane materials.

Some non-limiting examples of WP/BR garments having a membrane layer(e.g., a PTFE and/or PU material layer) laminated to an inner or userbody facing surface of an outer fabric layer include 2 layer, 2.5 layerand 3 layer designs. A 2 layer WP/BR garment is basically defined by a 2layer structure in which the outer fabric layer and WP/BR membrane layerare laminated together. An inner fabric layer or inner mesh liner orscrim can be provided on the inside of the garment (i.e., side ofgarment that faces the body of the user/wearer), where the inner linerhangs loosely in relation to (i.e., not laminated with) the combinedmembrane layer/outer fabric layer. The inner liner of the 2 layerstructure provides a suitable interface with the wearer's body whilealso serving to protect the membrane layer from frictional contact withthe user and reducing wear and tear on the membrane layer. A 2.5 layerWP/BR garment includes the same membrane layer laminated to the outerfabric layer but, instead of including the inner liner of the 2 layerdesign, includes a printed or sprayed-on partial coating of any suitablepolymer material (e.g., polyurethane, polyolefin, polyester, etc.) overthe membrane layer that serves to protect the membrane layer andprovides an interface between the membrane layer and the wearer's body.A 3 layer WP/BR garment also includes the same membrane layer laminatedto the outer fabric layer but further includes an inner lightweightfabric layer or scrim (e.g., a fabric material having a basis weightthat is less than the basis weight of the heavier, more durable outerfabric layer) that is laminated to the membrane layer such that themembrane layer is sandwiched between the outer and inner fabric layers.

Other WP/BR garments can also be formed including any other combinationof one or more fabric layers, one or more membrane layers and/or one ormore other types of material layers combined via lamination and/or anyother suitable connection (e.g., adhesive bonding, stitching, etc.). Thematerial layers for WP/BR garments can have any conventional and/orother suitable thicknesses, with any two or more layers having the sameor different thicknesses. For example, the membrane layer can have asmaller thickness or, alternatively, a greater thickness than the outerfabric layer and/or any other material layer. Example thicknesses of thematerial layers can be on the order of micrometers or microns (e.g.,about 100 microns or less), millimeters (e.g., 100 millimeters or less)or even greater thicknesses. For example, the membrane layer can be onthe order of microns in thickness (e.g., about 100 microns or less, suchas 10 microns or less).

One issue associated with WP/BR garments is providing a garment that issuitably WP and BR for a particular application. While garments can bemade with very high WP characteristics (e.g., having a WP rating of20,000 or greater), the trade-off can be a reduction in BRcharacteristics as well as making the garment heavier, bulky and lessflexible on the body of the wearer of the garment. In contrast, agarment can be designed that is very breathable with a sufficiently highBR rating (e.g., having a MVTR value of 10,000 g/m²/day or greater) butwith a sacrifice in reducing the WP rating. Thus, the challenge is tofind a suitable balance between WP and BR characteristics for a garmentwhile also rendering the garment comfortable in terms of feel and weightwhen worn.

In accordance with the invention, the WP/BR characteristics of a garmentcan be adjusted at different regions or locations along the garment byvarying the manner in which the WP/BR membrane layer is laminated to oneor more other layers of the garment. In particular, the amount oflaminate material (e.g., as previously described herein, measured inrelation to the layer surface to which the laminate material is appliedby areal number density, areal coverage and/or areal density) providedas an interface between two or more material layers (e.g., between theWP/BR membrane layer and the outer fabric layer) can be varied indifferent regions or zones of the garment. Such variance in the amountof laminate material at different regions or zones of the garmentprovides a corresponding variance in the WP and BR characteristics forthe garment at such zones, where such variances can be measured orquantified by WP rating (e.g., static column water pressure in mm) andBR rating (e.g., MVTR value).

The laminate material used to laminate the WP/BR membrane layer to theouter fabric layer and/or another material layer can be any suitablepolymer material with a suitable melting point and/or other suitablephysical properties to facilitate securing of two or more fabric and/orother layers of the garment to each other and maintaining the securingof the material layers together when subjected to a variety oftemperature, moisture and/or other environmental conditions. Thelaminate material may further have hydrophobic properties and/or anyother suitable properties that enhance the WP/BR characteristicsimparted by the membrane layer. A polyurethane (PU) laminate is anexample of a suitable polymer material for securing layers of thegarment together.

In an example embodiment, the lamination process comprises a hot meltlamination process in which melted or molten laminate material isapplied to one surface of a first material layer and a second materiallayer is then pressed against the laminate material covered surface ofthe first material layer to laminate the two layers together (where,upon drying or curing of the laminate material, the two layers aresecured together by the laminate). For example, a melted, liquid ormolten PU laminate can be applied to secure the outer fabric layer tothe WP/BR membrane layer. However, the PU laminate can also be used tosecure any two or more other material layers together (e.g., a PUlaminate to secure the WP/BR membrane layer to the inner fabric layerfor a 3 layer garment configuration). The laminate material is appliedto the surface of at least one of the material layers in a discontinuousor non-continuous manner such that one or more gaps or spacings existbetween discrete or individually separate laminate material portionsapplied along the material layer surface.

In an example embodiment, the laminate material is applied in adiscontinuous or non-continuous array or pattern of separate anddiscrete molten or liquid laminate material components, also referred toherein as laminate dots, onto the surface of a material layer using ahot melt gravure or dot lamination process. An example dot laminationprocess for securing two material layers together is depicted in FIG. 1.In particular, the process can be implemented using a system 2 thatincludes a printing cylinder 10 having indentations 12 etched (or formedin any other suitable manner) along the circumference and at least someof the length of the cylinder surface. A well or trough 50 including hotmelted/molten and liquefied laminate material (e.g., molten PU) at asuitable temperature and viscosity is provided in close proximity withthe cylinder 10 such that, when the cylinder 10 is rotated at a suitablerotational velocity in relation to the trough 50, the cylinder 10 picksup or entrains liquefied/molten laminate material within theindentations 12.

A continuous sheet of material 60 used to form a material layer (e.g., amembrane layer) is provided (e.g., by unwinding the continuous sheet ofmaterial from a winder roll) such that a surface 62 of the materialsheet 60 is in contact with the rotating cylinder 10. The material sheet60 is further moved or advanced at a suitable velocity in relation tothe cylinder 10 (e.g., via a series of rollers 14) in a direction asshown by arrow D in FIG. 1. The melted laminate material is transferredfrom the indentations 12 of the rotating cylinder 10 to the sheetsurface 62 in the form of dots 55 spaced apart from each other. Anothercontinuous sheet of material 70 used to form a material layer (e.g., theouter fabric layer) is provided (e.g., by unwinding the continuous sheetof material from a winder roll) and is further moved or advanced intoposition proximate the surface 62 of the first material sheet 60. Forexample, the material sheet 70 can be advanced at about the same orsimilar velocity as the material sheet 60 such that both sheets move inthe same direction D as they are brought together and laminated to eachother. A pair of rollers 14 is provided to press the material sheet 70against the laminate dot covered surface 62 of the material sheet 60,where the rollers 14 are configured to apply a suitable force orpressure that forces the two sheets together with the laminate dots 55disposed between the sheets. The pressing rollers 14 can also be heatedto a suitable temperature to ensure the laminate material is at asufficient temperature and physical state during the lamination process.The pressure or force provided by the rollers 14, combined withcontrolling the temperature of the laminate material, results inlamination of the two sheets 60, 70 to each other. For example, uponengagement of the material sheet 70 against the surface 62 of thematerial sheet 60, the laminate dots 55 can still be completely meltedor molten and liquefied or, alternatively, only partially molten andpartially solidified. At some location downstream of the rollers 14which press the two material sheets 60, 70 together with the laminatedots 55 located at the interface between both sheets, the laminatematerial solidifies and/or cures to sufficiently laminate and secure thetwo material sheets to each other.

The pattern of dots, dimensions of dots, shape of dots, spacing betweendots, etc. applied to the material sheet surface 62 are selectivelycontrolled based upon a number of factors including, without limitation,dimensions (e.g., diameter, length, width, depth) of indentations 12 onthe roller 10, rotational speed of the roller 10, linear velocity (e.g.,in direction D) of the material sheets 60, 70, temperature, viscosity,density and/or other physical characteristics of the laminate materialwithin the trough 50, and pressure applied by the rollers 14 to thematerial sheets 60, 70 being pressed together. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 1, at least some of the laminate dots 55 are generallycircular and/or hemispherical in shape. However, the laminate dots canhave any suitable shapes including, without limitation, polygonal (e.g.,square or rectangular, triangular, etc.), rounded, elliptical, andirregular or eccentric in shape, etc. Further, the sheet surface 62 caninclude any suitable number (e.g., two or more) of different shapedlaminate dots 55. The sheet surface 62 can further have laminate dots 55with the same or different shapes having the same or similar dimensionsor, alternatively, different dimensions.

In accordance with the present invention, the lamination process can becontrolled such that the spacing, dimensions, shapes, etc. of thelaminate dots forming the lamination interface between two or morematerial layers (e.g., the membrane layer and outer fabric layer of thegarment) can be varied at different regions or zones of the materiallayer surface upon which the laminate dots are applied, and this in turnresults in a variation in the amount of laminate material that isprovided at such regions or zones. This variance in amount of laminatematerial applied on a material layer surface results in a modificationof the WP/BR characteristics of the formed garment at the differentregions or zones. As described herein, this in turn facilitates mappingof different WP/BR characteristics along the garment that correspondwith different body parts of a user or wearer of the garment.

As previously noted, the amount of laminate material provided within aparticular region or zone of the garment can be defined in relation tothe material layer surface to which it is applied as areal coverage(percentage of material layer surface area covered by laminate materialat a particular zone). The variance in areal coverage of the laminatedots in the laminate interface between two material layers can vary from0% areal coverage to 100% areal coverage, where % areal coverage refersto: (surface area covered by laminate material/total surface area)×100for a specified or defined surface area region or zone of the materiallayer to which the laminate dots are applied. To ensure sufficientlamination between two material layers, there will preferably be atleast about 30% areal coverage of laminate dots on a material layer. Inaddition, 100% areal coverage of laminate dots over a portion of amaterial layer results in a continuous laminate material film over thisportion (i.e., laminate dots join to each other, with little or nospacing there between, such that substantially no surface area of thematerial layer is exposed).

As previously noted herein, a WP/BR garment can be formed including amembrane layer and an outer fabric layer (e.g., of the 2 layer, 2.5layer or 3 layer type), in which laminate dots can be applied betweenthe membrane layer and outer fabric layer. Laminate dots can be applied,for example, on a surface of the membrane layer (e.g., a sheet thatforms the membrane layer) with the outer fabric layer then being pressedagainst the membrane layer to laminate the two layers together. One ormore laminate rollers of a dot lamination system (e.g., one or morerollers 10 as depicted in FIG. 1) can be provided to vary theconcentration or areal coverage of laminate dots along the membranelayer surface into areas designated as high coverage, medium coverage(e.g., areal coverage of laminate dots is lower in medium coverage areain relation to high coverage area), and low coverage (e.g., arealcoverage of laminate dots is lower in medium coverage area in relationto high coverage area). While only three levels of varying arealcoverage have been described in this example, it is noted that garmentscan be formed with any selected number of levels of varying arealcoverage or even a spectrum of areal coverage extending from lower areasof coverage (including areas of no laminate material coverage) tohighest areas of coverage (including complete, continuous laminatematerial coverage). In the example embodiment, low coverage of laminatedots on the material layer surface can be in a range from about 0% toabout 50% areal coverage (preferably no less than about 30% arealcoverage), medium coverage of laminate dots on the material layersurface can be in the range from about 40% to about 70% areal coverage,and high coverage can be in the range from about 60% to about 100% arealcoverage.

It is noted that the laminate dots formed on the material layer surfacecan have the same or similar shapes, dimensions and/or pattern andspacing in correspondence with the arrangement of indentations on thelaminate roller that applies the laminate material to the material layersurface. However, during the lamination process in which two materiallayers are pressed together with the laminate material providing theinterface between such layers, the laminate dots can deform or changesomewhat in dimensions, shape and/or spacing along the material layersurface. For example, when applying circular/hemispherical shapedlaminate dots to the material layer surface at selectedspacing/distances from each other in a particular zone of the materiallayer, the laminate dots may be altered somewhat after pressing the twomaterial layers together in the lamination process due to theforce/pressure applied to the material layers. The force/pressureapplied to the material layers may compress the laminate dots causingthe thickness of certain laminate dots to decrease combined with acorresponding increase in diameter or cross-sectional dimensions of thelaminate dots and a corresponding reduction in spacing between laminatedots. The desired areal coverage for laminate material at zones of thematerial layer can take into consideration the alteration of thelaminate dots after being subjected to certain degree of compression dueto the pressing of the material layers together so as to maintain asuitable areal coverage in the high, medium and low ranges in particularregions or zones of the garment. Alternatively, the degree of arealcoverage for zones of the garment can also be defined, as desired, basedupon the dimensions/shapes/spacing of indentations on areal sections anyone or more laminate roller (since each laminate roller can includeareal sections that are precisely defined or mapped to correspond withparticular regions or zones of the garment).

An example embodiment is depicted in FIG. 2 of a laminate roller 210(e.g., for use in a dot lamination system like roller 10 in system 2 ofFIG. 1) including indentations 212 used to form the laminate dots on amaterial layer in accordance with the invention. In particular,variations in spacing, dimensions and/or shapes of the indentations 212occur along the length of the roller 210 (length shown by arrow 214) andas further depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C (which depict partialcross-sectional views of the roller at different lengthwise locations).A first portion 210A of the roller 210 (e.g., which extends to the firstend of the roller as shown in FIG. 2) is depicted in FIG. 2A thatincludes indentations 212A etched on the surface of the roller insuitable dimensions and spacing so as to provide a zone of high coverageof laminate dots on a material layer surface (e.g., about 60% to about100% areal coverage). A middle or central portion 210B of the roller 210is depicted in FIG. 2B and includes indentations 212B etched on thesurface of the roller in suitable dimensions and spacing so as toprovide a zone of medium coverage of laminate dots on the material layersurface (e.g., about 40% to about 70% areal coverage). A third portion210C of the roller 210 (e.g., which extends to the second roller end asshown in FIG. 2) is depicted in FIG. 2C that includes indentations 212Cetched on the surface of the roller in suitable dimensions and spacingso as to provide a zone of low coverage of laminate dots on a materiallayer surface (e.g., about 0% to about 50% areal coverage, preferably atleast about 30% areal coverage).

The arrangement or array and also sizes and shapes of indentations 212can be about the same around the circumference of the roller 210 in eachzone of coverage. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the spacing,sizes and/or shapes of indentations 212 can further be varied along thecircumference of the roller 210 in each portion of the roller definingthe high, medium and low zones of coverage. Thus, the coverage oflaminate dots formed by the indentations 212 along the surface of theroller 210 varies along the length of the roller as shown by arrow 214(e.g., where the coverage decreases from the high zone at a first end ofthe roller toward the low zone at the second end of the roller).

Thus, one or more rollers (such as rollers 110 and 210) can be providedto apply laminate dots on a material layer surface that vary in amountof laminate material applied along the material layer surface, where thevariance in dot lamination areal coverage along portions of the materiallayer surface can occur in any selected manner (e.g.,high-to-medium-to-low, high-to-low-to-medium, medium-to-high-to-low,etc.) based upon the positioning of rollers and/or the arrangement ofetched indentations along any one or more rollers.

The type of laminate material used to form the laminate dots on thesurface of the material layer can also be selectively modified asdesired for a particular application. For example, a lamination systemcan include two or more troughs having different types of laminatematerial or, alternatively, laminate material of the same type buthaving different densities, different viscosities, etc. in the separatetroughs for application via the laminate roller at different locationsof the material surface. Changing the types of laminate material indifferent coverage zones can also have an effect on WP/WBcharacteristics of the laminated material formed.

Such configuration of one or more laminate rollers (with a single troughor a plurality of troughs for applying the same or different types oflaminate to a material surface) in a dot lamination system according tothe invention facilitates application of laminate dots in a variety ofdifferent orientations of different zones of coverage on the surface ofa material sheet used to form a material layer, such that portions ofthe sheet may be cut-out or removed to manufacture sections of thegarment that cover different body parts of the wearer. In other words,in accordance with the present invention, the variation in coverage oflaminate dots providing a lamination interface between two or moredifferent material layers can be mapped to portions of the garmentcorresponding with different body parts of the user or wearer of thegarment.

Some non-limiting example embodiments of different laminate applicationson a material sheet layer (e.g., a fabric layer or a membrane layer forforming a multi-layered WP/WB garment) are depicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B and3C. Referring to FIG. 3A, a portion of a material layer 60 is depictedhaving laminate dots 310 applied on its surface 62 (e.g., prior toapplication of a further material layer 70). In this embodiment, thelaminate dots 310 are about the same size (e.g., same or similarcircular shape and having same or similar diameters) in each of thezonal areas of coverage 302, 304 and 306 (where the dashed lines show atransition between two zones). The laminate dots 310 in each zone 302,304, 306 further are spaced in a pattern or arrangement such that thecloses distance between adjacent or neighboring dots is the same orconstant throughout the zone of coverage. However, the constant distancebetween closest neighboring laminate dots 310 differ in each of thezones. In particular, the closest proximity distance D1 betweenadjacent/neighboring laminate dots 310 in zone 302 is less than theclosest proximity distance D2 between adjacent/neighboring laminate dots310 in zone 304, while the closest proximity distance D2 betweenadjacent/neighboring laminate dots 310 in zone 304 is less than theclosest proximity distance D3 between adjacent/neighboring laminate dots310 in zone 306 (i.e., distance D1<distance D2<distance D3).Accordingly, the areal coverage and areal density of laminate dots 310is greatest in zone 302 while being the lowest in zone 306.

In another example embodiment depicted in FIG. 3B, a portion of amaterial sheet layer 60 is depicted also having three zonal areas ofcoverage 312, 314, 316. In this embodiment, the sizes of laminate dotsapplied to the surface 62 of the layer 60 differ, where laminate dots320 in zone 312 have a greater size (e.g., greater diameter) thanlaminate dots 330 in zone 314 and laminate dots 330 in zone 314 have agreater size (e.g., greater diameter) than laminate dote 340 in zone316. The spacing between laminate dots can also differ in the differentzones, with the greatest spacing distance between closest or neighboringlaminate dots being in zone 316 and the smallest spacing distancebetween closest or neighboring laminate dotes being in zone 312. In thisembodiment, the areal coverage and areal density of laminate dots 310 isgreatest in zone 302 while being the lowest in zone 306.

In a further embodiment depicted in the photographic image of FIG. 3C,laminate dots can be applied to a material layer surface 350 in agraduated manner in which laminate dots are closely spaced (or eventouching) at one zone that approaches one side 360 of the materiallayer. The laminate dots gradually increase in spacing from each otherand/or decrease in size (e.g., decreasing diameter) such that the arealcoverage of laminate dots decreases from the zone ear side 360 toward acenter or other portion of the material layer surface (as shown in thedirection of arrow 370). Thus, while there is not a clear line orboundary of demarcation between different zones of laminate dots, thereis a gradual change, spectrum or variance in areal coverage of laminatedots extending along a dimension (e.g., a length and/or width dimension)of the material layer. For example, the areal coverage of laminate dotscan be 90% or greater in a first zone (e.g., near a side or edge) of thematerial layer and, at some portion along the length and/or width of thematerial layer, the areal coverage of laminate dots can gradually changefrom 90% down to 20% or less (e.g., in the direction of arrow 370). Thematerial layer can further be covered with laminate dots such that thechange or variation in areal coverage from one side to another changedfrom high coverage to lower coverage and then back to higher coverageagain. In particular, the image depicted in FIG. 3C shows a portion(e.g., half) of the material layer. The other portion can be a mirrorimage of the portion depicted in FIG. 3C, such that the areal coverageincreases again continuing in the direction of arrow 370 until reachingthe side of the material layer that opposes side 360.

Any other suitable configurations of laminate dots formed on a materialsurface can be achieved that results in different zones of arealcoverage and areal density of the laminate dots within such zones, wheresuch different configurations can include any combinations between zonesof changes in dot sizes, shapes, dot pattern arrangements, spacingbetween dots, etc.

An example embodiment is depicted in FIG. 4 of a garment sheet 402(outlined by the dashed lines in FIG. 4) comprising at least twomaterial layers (e.g., a WP/WB membrane layer and an outer fabric layer)laminated together via a dot lamination process as previously describedherein, where the different portions 402, 404, 406 along the sheet 402designates different zones of dot lamination coverage. The portions 404on the garment sheet 402 represent the high zones of areal coverage(i.e., greatest areal coverage values) of the laminate dots, while theportions 406 on the garment sheet 402 represent medium zones of arealcoverage (i.e., areal coverage values for portions 406 are less thanportions 404) of the laminate dots and the portions 408 on the garmentsheet 402 represent low zones of areal coverage of the laminate dots(i.e., lowest areal coverage values). The outlined sections 410 definedon the garment sheet 402 represent cut-out portions to be separated formanufacturing/forming different portions of the garment. Thus, when thegarment is formed by combining (e.g., sewing, stitching orconnecting/adhering in any other suitable manner) the various sections410 together, the amount of laminate material will be varied alongdifferent portions of the garment associated with different body partsof the wearer.

The different zones of areal coverage (which may also be defined asdifferent zones of areal density or areal number density as previouslydescribed herein) represent different amounts of laminate material usedto laminate two or more material layers together at the zones. In someexample embodiments, the high areal coverage zones may be configured tohave the greatest WP rating (e.g., where WP ratings can be up to 20,000or even greater), the low areal coverage zones may be configured to havethe greatest BR rating (e.g., MVTR values can be as large as 20,000g/m²/day, as large as 30,000 g/m²/day, as large as 40,000 g/m²/day oreven greater), and the medium areal coverage zones may be configured tohave WP ratings greater than that of the low areal coverage zones whilealso having BR ratings greater than that of the high areal coveragezones. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the different zones of arealcoverage can vary in WP and BR ratings in any other suitable manner. Forexample, any two or more zones can have the same or similar WP or BRrating while varying in the other type of rating.

An example embodiment is now described of a fabric material that wasformed utilizing the methods described herein and having zones of highareal coverage (e.g., from about 60% to about 100% areal coverage),medium areal coverage (e.g., from about 40% to about 70% arealcoverage), and low areal coverage (e.g., from about 0% to about 50%areal coverage) for dot lamination. The fabric material was formed witha fabric layer laminated to a membrane, and then subsequent testing wasperformed to determine WP and BR characteristics as well as tearstrength of the fabric material at the different zones of areal coverageof the laminate dots used to form the two layer fabric material. Thefabric material was a 15 denier fabric material obtained from HFICompany, Ltd. (Taiwan). The membrane was a suitable membrane material(e.g., a PTFE material such as Goretex). The water resistance values forthe fabric material at the different zones were measured/obtained in asimilar manner as described herein (utilizing Japan Industrial StandardsJIS L1092.B), while the breathability values were measured/obtained alsoin a similar manner as described herein (utilizing Japan IndustrialStandards JIS L1099 B1). The tear strength values (in kg/in) weremeasured/obtained using the industry standard ASTM D2724. The followingtable presents the measured characteristics of the fabric material atthe different zones.

TABLE 2 WP and BR Performance Data For Fabric Material Formed HavingDifferent Zones of Areal Coverage of Lamination Dots High Areal MediumAreal Low Areal Coverage Zone Coverage Zone Coverage ZoneWaterproof/Water  20,000+ 19,430 16,640 Resistance Breathability 29,04836,871 45,252 Tear Resistance    0.3 0.2 0.2 (kg/in)

The data obtained for the textile fabric formed utilizing a method asdescribed herein and presented in Table 2 confirms that, as the arealcoverage of the dot lamination increases for the fabric material (due tothe variance between zones, there is a corresponding increase inwaterproof (water resistance) characteristics (i.e., in the transitionbetween zones). Further, as the areal coverage of the dot laminationdecreases between zones, there is a corresponding increase inbreathability.

Any suitable types of apparel or garments can be formed with body mappedWP/BR characteristics in accordance with the present invention. Anexample embodiment of a garment with body mapped WP/BR characteristicsis depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The garment is in the form of ahoodie-type jacket 502 that includes a main trunk or torso section 503,a hood section 504 that extends from an upper portion of the torsosection 503 and is configured to pull over and cover portions of thehead of the wearer, and arm sleeve sections 510 extending transverselyfrom opposing upper side portions (which correspond with the shoulders511 of the wearer) of the torso section 503. The torso section 503further includes a front side 506 that corresponds with the chest andabdomen of the wearer and a rear side 508 that corresponds with the backof the wearer. The jacket 502 can be formed with any suitable number ofmaterial layers (e.g., a 2 layer, 2.5 layer or 3 layer construction, orany other suitable construction) and in accordance with techniques asdescribed herein so as to include at least an outer fabric layer and amembrane layer laminated with the outer fabric layer with a variance inthe amount of laminate material provided at different zones or regionsof the jacket 502. The jacket 502 includes high areal coverage regionsor zones 520 (e.g., corresponding with zones 404 in FIG. 4), mediumareal coverage regions or zones 530 (e.g., corresponding with zones 406in FIG. 4) and low areal coverage regions or zones 540 (e.g.,corresponding with zones 408 in FIG. 4) representing the differentamounts of laminate material and corresponding different degrees ofWP/BR features provided at such garment zones.

The high areal coverage zones 520 of the jacket 502 having the mostlaminate material are, e.g., at the hood section 504 and lower portionsalong the front side 506 of the torso section 503 (e.g., near thewaistline of the wearer) and along the corresponding front sides of thearm sections 510 (near the wrists of the wearer). These high arealcoverage zones 520 can be configured so as to provide the greatest WPrating for the garment (e.g., WP ratings of about 20,000 or greater).The low areal coverage zones 540 of the jacket 502 are located at asignificant portion of the front side 506 of the torso section 503 andalong lateral portions (i.e., on either side of the center/spineportion) of the torso rear side 508 and corresponding inner or medialside portions of the arm sections 510 including locations correspondingwith the underarm/arm pit regions of the wearer. The low areal coveragezones 540 can provide the greatest BR characteristics for the jacket 502(e.g., the highest MVTR values for the jacket, such as 20,000 g/m²/dayor greater), particularly in regions such as below the arms (e.g., atthe arm pit locations) and at portions of the chest of the wearer whereperspiration can typically occur. The medium areal coverage zones 530are located along the outer or lateral side portions of the arm sections510 (including the outer shoulder portions) and a central portion(including a portion that covers the spine of the wearer) of the torsorear side 508.

The medium areal coverage zones 430 can be configured to provide agreater WP rating in relation to the low areal coverage zones 440 and agreater BR rating in relation to the high areal coverage zones 420.Alternatively, the high, medium and low areal coverage zones can beconfigured to provide any selected degree of WP and BR features for thejacket 402, where any one or both of such WP and BR features can varybetween the different zones. Thus, the jacket 402 can be configured soas to map particular WP and BR features to particular body parts of thewearer depending upon a particular application (e.g., hiking, running,outdoor wet climate activities, etc.). For example, in the embodiment ofFIG. 5, portions of the garment can vary in dot lamination arealcoverage along a section (e.g., along an arm section, along a legsection, along the torso section, etc.).

Other types of apparel or garments can also be formed so as to includeWP/BR features that vary at regions or zones of the garments and aremapped to particular body portions of the wearer. Some non-limitingexamples of other types of apparel or garments that can include theWP/BR body mapped features of the present invention include shorts,pants, hats, shirts (e.g., t-shirts or long sleeve shirts), jerseys,sweaters, socks and any other type of clothing. Further, the methodsdescribed herein to provide variable WP/BR features to a multi-layeredmaterial structure can also be applied to other non-apparel products,such as outdoor hunting, hiking or other gear (e.g., backpacks, tents,hunting blinds, etc.), where such products can be formed in part or inwhole with a layered material having laminated features as describedherein.

Any one or both of the material layers that are laminated togetherand/or the laminate material can also be configured to have any suitablecolor(s) and/or any suitable degree of opacity or transparency toprovide any suitable functional and/or aesthetic features for thegarment. For example, at least one of two material layers that arelaminated together can be configured to have a sufficient degree oftransparency and the laminate dots can also be configured to have one ormore suitable colors so that some or all of the laminate dots indifferent WP/BR zones of the garment are visible through one or bothlaminated material layers (i.e., the laminate dots are visible oninterior side portions and/or exterior side portions of the garment).The visibility of laminate dot patterns and/or laminate dot shapes canprovide aesthetic features for the garment (enhancing the “look” of thegarment). In addition, different laminate dot patterns and/or dot shapesthat are visible through one or both laminated material layers canprovide functional features such as coding of particular WP/BR zones ofthe garment (e.g., designating a zone of the garment that has thegreatest WP rating and/or greatest BR rating).

The lamination methods described herein can also be applied to othertypes of garments, such as textile garments that do not include amembrane layer as is the case for WP/BR garments (such as 2 layer, 2.5layer and 3 layer WP/BR garments). In particular, the lamination methodsdescribed herein are also applicable to forming garments that are highlyair permeable as measured, e.g., by a CFM (cubic feet per minute) ratingof air flow that is achieved through such garments. An exampleembodiment of such an air permeable or air breathable garment cancomprise a garment having two textile layers adhered together bylaminate dots. Referring again to FIG. 1, material layers 60 and 70 caneach comprise a textile layer. For example, one or both textile layerscan comprise a woven, knit or nonwoven layer. Each layer can be formedin the same or different manner. For example, both textile layers can beknit layers, woven layers, or nonwoven layers. Alternatively, one layercan be formed as one type of a knit, woven or nonwoven layer while theother layer can be formed as another type of a knit, woven or nonwovenlayer (e.g., one layer is knit, the other is woven or nonwoven, etc.).

The same types of dot lamination garment formation processes asdescribed herein for WP/BR garments (in which a membrane layer is withinthe garment) can also be applied for air permeable textile garments soas to achieve different degrees or a variance in air permeability (e.g.,as measured by a CFM rating) at different locations or zones of thegarment. For air permeable textile garments, the air permeability isgreater (i.e., the garment is more breathable) at defined zones of thegarment having lower areal density and lower areal coverage oflamination dots. In other words, a zone of a textile garment having thegreatest areal density and greatest areal coverage provides the leastair permeability (as measured by CFM of air flow through the garment) atsuch zone, such that a measured CFM value at this zone is less than ameasured CFM value at another zone of the garment having a smaller arealdensity and smaller areal coverage.

The variance in air permeability (as measured by air flows in CFMthrough the garment) at different zones of the textile garment canenhance the performance of such garments for different applications. Forexample, a shirt or jacket used for a runner might have different zonesof air permeability imparted at different areas of the garment such thatairflow is easily permitted (e.g., low lamination dot areal density andlow areal dot coverage and corresponding large measured CFM value) insome areas (e.g., under the arms or at the arm pit locations of thegarment, along portions of the chest and/or back of the garment, etc.)while other areas of the garment (e.g., on shoulders and/or along partsof the arms of the garment) are less air permeable (e.g., greaterlamination dot areal density and greater areal dot coverage andcorresponding lower measured CFM value).

For textile applications, the lamination dots used to impart variableair permeability throughout different portions or zones of a multilayered textile material are generally greater in size (e.g., greater inthickness and/or length/width/diameter dimension) in relation to thelamination dots used to form WP/BR garments. In example embodiments, thelamination dots used to form air permeable textile garments (e.g., withtwo textile layers secured together via lamination dots) are at leastabout 10% greater in thickness dimension compared to lamination dotsused to form WP/BR garments (e.g., a 2 layer, 2.5 layer or 3 layer WP/BRgarment). For this reason, the rollers used in the lamination processfor air permeable textile garments have depressions or indentationsalong their surfaces (used to form the lamination dots on the materiallayer) that are deeper or have a greater depth dimension in relation tothe indentations for rollers used in the lamination process for WP/BRgarments.

Thus, a multi-layered garment is provided including at least two layerslaminated together with a plurality (e.g., a pattern or array) oflamination dots that varies in different locations or zones of thegarment to impart a variance in physical properties of the garmentwithin such zones, in particular waterproof properties, breathabilityproperties and/or air permeability properties. The array of laminationdots can be varied in the different zones in a variety of differentways, such as varying sizes and shapes of dots, varying spacing betweendots, and varying types of dots (e.g., varying the type based uponpolymer type, density and/or viscosity). For example, a variance inviscosity of polymer material used to form the lamination dots can havean effect on dot coverage on the surface to which the dots are applied(e.g., a greater viscosity of the dot lamination material can result ina greater areal coverage of the dots applied to the material surface).

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in theart that various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof.

For example, different body mapped WP/BR zones of a garment may includedifferent combinations of material layers and/or partial layers (i.e.,material layers that do not extend throughout a particular WP/BR zone ofthe garment).

In addition, the features of the present invention are not limited toapparel or garments but instead can also be implemented in otherproducts that include layers of fabric or other materials and in whichWP and/or BR features are desired. For example, outdoor products such astents, tarps, covers for vehicles or other items being stored in outdoorenvironments can be constructed from materials including laminatedlayers in accordance with the present invention to achieve varying WP/BRfeatures at different zones of the material.

Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modificationsand variations of this invention provided they come within the scope ofthe appended claims and their equivalents. It is to be understood thatterms such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”,“length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, “inner”,“outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points ofreference and do not limit the present invention to any particularorientation or configuration.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of forming a garment comprising: applying alaminate material to a first surface of a first material layer, whereinthe laminate material is applied in a non-continuous manner on the firstsurface such that an amount of the laminate material varies at differentzones defined along the first surface; and pressing a second surface ofa second material layer against the first surface of the first materiallayer that includes the laminate material applied thereon so as tolaminate the second material layer to the first material layer.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the laminate material is applied in anon-continuous manner on the first surface such that two or more zonesdiffer from each other in waterproof (WP) rating and/or breathability(BR) rating.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the laminate material isapplied at different viscosities to the first surface of the firstmaterial layer at the different zones.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereina different laminate material is applied to the first surface of thefirst material layer at two or more different zones.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the laminate material is applied to the first surfaceof the first material layer as an array of laminate members, and thearray of laminate members is varied at the different zones by one ormore selected from the group consisting of spacing between laminatemembers, dimensions of laminate members and shapes of laminate members.6. The method of claim 5, wherein the laminate material is applied tothe first surface of the first material layer as an array of laminatemembers comprising laminate dots.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein thearray of laminate members is applied to the first surface of the firstmaterial layer by: collecting melt laminate material within indentationsdisposed along exterior surface portions of a roller; and depositing themelt laminate material from the indentations on the roller to the firstsurface of the first material layer; wherein the indentations on theexterior surface portions of the roller vary in zones along a length ofthe roller by one or more selected from the group consisting of spacingbetween indentations, dimensions of indentations and shapes ofindentations.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first material layeris applied as a membrane layer comprising one or more materials selectedfrom the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane andpolypropylene.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second materiallayer that is against the first surface of the first material layercomprises a fabric material.
 10. A roller for a melt lamination system,the roller comprising: a plurality of indentations disposed alongexterior surface portions of the roller, wherein the indentations aresuitably dimensioned to receive melt laminate material within theindendations and deposit the melt laminate material from theindentations to a surface of a material layer; wherein the indentationson the exterior surface portions of the roller vary in zones along alength of the roller by one or more selected from the group consistingof spacing between indentations, dimensions of indentations and shapesof indentations.
 11. A garment comprising: a first material layerincluding a first surface; a second material layer laminated to thefirst material layer, the second material layer including a secondsurface; and a laminate material disposed in a non-continuous mannerbetween the first and second surfaces of the first and second materiallayers, wherein an amount of laminate material disposed between thefirst and second material layers varies at different zones defined alongthe first surface of the first material layer, the laminate material isdisposed in an array of laminate members disposed along the firstsurface of the first material layer, and the array of laminate membersvaries at the different zones by one or more selected from the groupconsisting of spacing between laminate members, dimensions of laminatemembers and shapes of laminate members.
 12. The garment of claim 11,wherein the laminate members comprise laminate dots.
 13. The garment ofclaim 11, wherein two or more zones differ from each other in waterproof(WP) rating and/or breathability (BR) rating.
 14. The garment of claim11, wherein the first material layer comprises a membrane layercomprising one or more materials selected from the group consisting ofpolytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane and polypropylene.
 15. The garmentof claim 14, wherein the second material layer comprises a fabricmaterial that defines an exterior side of the garment.
 16. The garmentof claim 11, where the first and second material layers each comprise atextile material.
 17. The garment of claim 16, wherein one or both ofthe first and second material layers is formed as a knit layer, as awoven layer or as a nonwoven layer.
 18. The garment of claim 11, whereinthe garment comprises a jacket including a torso section, a hoodextending from an upper portion of the torso section, and arm sectionsextending from opposing upper side portions of the torso section. 19.The garment of claim 18, wherein the hood includes one or more zoneshaving an areal coverage of laminate members disposed along the firstsurface of the material layer within the one or more zones that isgreater than the areal coverage of laminate members in one or more otherzones of the garment.
 20. The garment of claim 19, wherein portions ofthe arm sections and torso section that correspond with underarm andchest regions of a wearer of the garment include one or more zones ofareal coverage of laminate members along the first surface of thematerial layer within the one or more zones that is less than the arealcoverage of laminate members in one or more other zones of the garment.